I have found it helpful to begin my day by systematically reading the Bible and giving God the opportunity to direct my attention to certain truths. These truths become the springboard to begin speaking to the Lord.

Many Christians feel defeated in their prayer lives. To pray even five-to-seven minutes seems like and eternity, and their minds wander much of that time. "I guess it's me," many conclude. "I'm just a second-rate Christian." No, if you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and generally seeking to live in obedience to God's Word, then the problem likely isn't you, but your method... Let the words of Scripture be the words of your prayers... By praying through a passage of Scripture, you'll find yourself praying about most of "the same old things," but in brand new ways. You'll likely be able to turn to any part of the Bible and pray through it.

Formerly, when I rose, I began to pray as soon as possible. But I often spent a quarter of an hour to an hour on my knees struggling to pray while my mind wandered. Now I rarely have this problem. As my heart is nourished by the truth of the Word, I am brought into true fellowship with God. I speak to my Father and to my Friend (although I am unworthy) about the things that He has brought before me in His precious Word.

Reference: The Autobiography of George Muller, 1984, p. 139. All quotations taken from books published by Whitaker House are used with permission of the publisher. Whitaker House books are available at Christian bookstores everywhere. Get this book!

Praying over the Word...has the effect of shaping our minds and hearts, so that we desire what the Word encourages us to desire, and not just what we desire by nature. That is why the prayers of Bible-saturated people sound so differently. Most people, before their prayers are soaked in Scripture, simply bring their natural desires to God, In other words, they pray the way an unbeliever would pray who is convinced that God might give him what he wants: health, a better job, safe journeys, a prosperous portfolio, successful children, plenty of food, a happy marriage, a car that works, a comfortable retirement, etc. None of these is evil. They're just natural. You don't have to be born again to want any of these. Desiring them - even from God - is no evidence of saving faith. So if these are all you pray for, there is a deep problem. Your desires have not yet been changed to put the glory of Christ at the center.

Reference: The Practice or Prayer in the Fight for Joy taken from When I Don’t Desire God by John Piper, copyright 2004, Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton Illinois 60187, www.crosswaybooks.org. p. 165-166.